Seduced by Translation: The Sublimation of Calypso, Circe, and Nausicaa in the Odyssey
Lalli, Matilde
Lalli, Matilde
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
This thesis examines the portrayal of Calypso, Circe, and Nausicaa in the English translations of Homer’s Odyssey by E.V. Rieu, Robert Fitzgerald, Robert Fagles, and Emily Wilson. This thesis will analyze the most significant variations that these characters undergo across translation, revealing cultural biases and imbalances of power within the context of gender dynamics which emerge from the translators’ choices. Each character embodies complex traits that enrich the traditional depiction of women in literature, yet their interpretations oscillate depending on the translator’s perspective. The first chapter of this thesis will focus on the character of Calypso. Often depicted as a seductive figure, Calypso embodies duality as well as representing the subversion of male-centric societal norms. It will be argued that the changes she undergoes in translation diminish her agency, enhancing instead her physical allure. The second chapter of this thesis will analyze Circe’s portrayal in the selected English translations. The chapter will illustrate how Circe changes from being a proto-feminist heroine who invites discussions about female anger and resistance against patriarchal impositions, to a mere love interest for Odysseus’s narrative, effectively reducing her depth and complexity as a character. Lastly, the third chapter of this thesis will be centered on Nausicaa’s character. Despite being originally presented as a symbol of purity and hospitality, in her interactions with Odysseus, Nausicaa is often romanticized, causing the translation to marginalize her intelligence and strategical abilities, as well as the symbolism placed upon her character. This thesis argues that the act of translating a text inevitably alters the essence of the original text by inserting the cultural context and collective perspective of the translator’s societal influences. This is particularly interesting as it sheds light on contemporary perception of gender dynamics and stereotypes, that are, through some of the analyzed translations, only enforced and perpetrated.
Description
Thesis (B.A. in English Literature)--John Cabot University, Fall 2024.
Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Odyssey (Homer), Women in literature
Citation
Lalli, Matilde. "Seduced by Translation: The Sublimation of Calypso, Circe, and Nausicaa in the Odyssey". BA Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. 2024.